These days, much of what passes as travel photography is an attempt to please social media algorithms — namely, photos of the “photographer” posing in front of a recognizable, picturesque background. Sure, this performs well on Instagram, and it can be good marketing, but hopefully what drives most of us to travel is not bragging rights or TikTok likes.
It should really be the opposite: By traveling across the world, we see that it doesn’t revolve around us, but that we’re just a small part of it. That’s one of the greatest lessons we glean from travel, along with an understanding of our shared humanity and our responsibility to protect the Earth and its creatures.
Our travel advisor readers understand this. This year, our editors traveled the world through a record number of photo entries, taking us from 173 feet above a waterfall in Kauai down to land, where newlyweds dream about their growing families, mushrooms sprout in dazzling patterns and nomadic hunters act out traditions that are thousands of years old. Enjoy the visual escape — it might just inspire you or your client’s next trip.
“Seeing Kauai’s Wailua Falls at sunrise was worth the early wake-up call. The best time to see popular tourist spots is bright and early. Rising before the crowds means you can enjoy the experience in its purest form. Hawaii is filled with amazing scenes, and seeing them from above is unparalleled. I sent up my drone, and what I witnessed took my breath away.
As the morning light bathed Wailua Falls in a golden glow, the mist, mountains and lush greenery came alive with color and movement.
“As the morning light bathed Wailua Falls in a golden glow, the mist, mountains and lush greenery came alive with color and movement. From above, the scene revealed the waterfall’s grandeur and the delicate ecosystem it nurtures. It seemed as if the island itself was waking up alongside the rising sun. Capturing Wailua Falls at its best took some effort, but it was a reminder that the most incredible experiences often come when you set an early alarm. In this case, the early bird got the worm.”
“Here is a radiant newlywed from the Datoga Tribe [in Tanzania], pregnant with her first child. Although we didn’t share the same language, she asked through our translator about my family, curious to know if I had children of my own.
The second-place winner was Tamika Wren, who took this photograph of a pregnant woman in the Dagota Tribe.
Credit: 2024 Tamika WrenThis heartfelt connection reminded me of our universal bonds: Across cultures and continents, family and life unite us all.”
“I was in Lisbon in October waiting for the tram so that I could report to my clients about the joys of traveling by tram. It was a beautiful fall day, so there was quite a long wait. I looked at the tram that had just filled and saw this beautiful reflection of a young woman and her date.
The third-place winning photo depicts a woman in a Lisbon tram.
Credit: 2024 Jennifer DonatiThey seemed both full of hope and thought, and captured the very essence of the Fado music that speaks to the very heart of Lisbon — the bittersweetness of the intersection of beauty, pain and promise.”
“I was cruising the South Pacific and Antarctica in October when I, along with two other photographers, decided to spend the night on Easter Island, where the Seabourn Pursuit cruise ship was overnighting.
Kevin Novak captured this photo of the Moai statues on Easter Island.
Credit: 2024 Kevin Novak“We woke up extra early to meet our local guide and got to the park about an hour before sunrise, and we were treated to this sight of the rising sun captured between Moai statues at Ahu Tongariki.”
Honorable Mention: Melissa Vincent, Cruise Planners
“This photo was taken during a sockeye salmon fishing expedition I enjoyed with my husband and son at Redoubt Lake near Mount Redoubt in Kenai, Alaska, this past June. As part of the trip, we had the chance to bear watch at Wolverine Creek.
A bear searches for fish scraps in his natural habitat in this photo.
Credit: 2024 Melissa VincentI captured this image while observing the bear wade into the water, searching for fish scraps. The bear moved among the boats, curiously nosing around as if to inspect what we were doing. It almost felt as if the roles were reversed — as though we were the wildlife, and the bear was the observer."
“This image encapsulates everything I love about travel — connecting with nature, experiencing the wild in its purest form and creating unforgettable memories. It highlights the magic of witnessing wildlife in its natural habitat, and is a reminder of how travel opens doors to profound, intimate moments that leave lasting impressions. Capturing and sharing these moments is a core part of why I’m passionate about what I do as a travel advisor.”
“On a sunset game drive in Zimbabwe, along the shores of Lake Kariba, we spotted a brand-new baby elephant — the tiniest we’d seen so far. At first, she was hard to see, her small frame blending into the larger herd and the surrounding wilderness. But once we noticed her, it was impossible to look away. She was framed perfectly, nestled between her mother’s massive legs. The setting sun cast a golden glow on her delicate face, highlighting her innocence and vulnerability.
A baby elephant is tucked in between her mother’s legs in Zimbabwe.
Credit: 2024 Julie PattersonThis little one, just learning to navigate her world, brought an unshakable smile to everyone’s faces. As we watched her cautiously peek out, then retreat under her mother’s towering form, I was reminded of the universal connection between mothers and their young — the instinct to protect, nurture and comfort. Despite the grandeur of Lake Kariba and the majesty of the other elephants, this baby was the heart of the moment.”
Honorable Mention: Marcia Dillon, Caprice Travel
“The Golden Eagle Festival is held annually in Mongolia’s Bayan-Olgii aimag (province). The Altai Mountains is the backdrop for this amazing event, where Kazakh nomads practice the age-old art of training and hunting with golden eagles.
A Mongolian hunter at the annual Golden Eagle Festival.
Credit: 2024 Marcia DillonThis hunter was on his Bactrian camel, also known as the Mongolian camel. He rode his camel through the mountains to attend the festival.”
Honorable Mention: Emily Zwiebel, Travel EZR, LLC
“It was windy, and it was cold — two things I didn’t particularly enjoy — but when I saw this Icelandic horse, I felt a kind of peace I could not describe. The look in his eye contains a sense of calm despite the cold wind — even a twinkle of peace and happiness.
An Icelandic horse on a cold, windy day in Iceland.
Credit: 2024 Emily Zwiebel“This was a once-in-a-lifetime, father-daughter adventure, and I’m reminded of that happiness and joy. I feel calm about the future when I see this photo and a sense that all will be alright.”
“This image is nature at its best. It’s what happens when life is allowed to grow untouched by humans in a place where you’re so lucky to go as a traveler. It keeps your eye moving constantly throughout the image. It reminds me that life finds a way and that as a traveler, we have such a special and important role to play in sustainability.
A mushroom in Manuel Antonio National Park.
Credit: 2024 Melanie RodriguezOtherwise, these things just wouldn’t exist anymore. This mushroom was deep in Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica, and it’s a reminder that our rainforests are disappearing — and being thoughtful about how we travel matters.”
